Cigarette roller



vSept. 24, 1935. J. A. KAPPELER CIGARETTE ROLLER Filed Feb. 3, 1932 Patented Sept. 24, 1935 UNITED STATES grain.

If; orriacs CIGARETTE ROLLER John A. Kappeler, Dayton, Ohio Application February 3, 1932, Serial No. 590,593

' 10 Claims. (01. 131-5) This invention relates to cigarette rollers.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a cigarette roller of simple construction, incorporating means for compressing and 5. rolling the tobacco into cylindrical shape, and

for applying a paper to the rolled tobacco.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying-drawing, and the appended 10 claims.

In the drawing, which illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention,--

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a cigarette roller embodying the present invention;

15. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken similarly to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in position for rolling a cigarette;

20 Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional 25 view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an elevational detail View, showing the pin receiving member;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectionalview showing the parts during the making of a cigarette;

30 Fig. 9 is a plan view of another form of the cigarette roller; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line IllI of Fig. 9.

In the drawing, in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views thereof, and referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 8, the numeral I0 designates a body member which is formed to provide a U-shaped trough II for reception of tobacco which is to be rolled into a cigarette; The body member has a plate portion I2 which extends from one side of the trough, and spaced ribs I3, which lie parallel to the plate I2, extending from the other side of the trough. Filler pieces I4, which are 0 of the same width as the ribs I3, fill up the space between the ribs and the plate portion I2 and are held in position by rivets I5. Although the above mentioned parts have been described as to separate pieces joined together by the rivets I5, these parts may be formed integrally by being molded from bakelite or some other suitable composition. A compressor member I1, which is substan- 55 tially the thickness of the filler pieces I4 and of such length as to be slidably received between these filler members cooperates with the body member to form a means for compressing the tobacco into a cylindrical shape. It serves, in effect, as a lid for the trough when forming a cigarette therein. As shown, the compressor I! is formed with a concave face I8 which is of substantially the same curvature as the trough Il, and which cooperates with the trough to form a cylindrical compressing chamber. The compressor member H is guided within the body of the roller by the provision of tongues i9 which extend from its opposite edges and are received Within grooves 29 formed in the filler pieces i l.

The range of movement of the compressor I? may be controlled by a latch 22 which cooperates with the plate portion I2 of the body for holding the compressor in open filling position and closed forming position. As shown, the latch comprises a pin 23 which is slidably mounted in a cylin- 20.

drical passage 24 in the compressor member W. This pin at one end projects through a slot 25 in the plate portion I2, and at the other end is attached to a leaf spring 2'! that is received within a groove 28 formed in the upper face of the 25 compressor member. The pin 23 is formed with a head portion 30 of sufficient diameter that the pin may not be'pulled through the slot 25 by the tension of the spring 27. Beneath the head 33 is a latch portion 3! which is somewhat larger in 30 diameter than the width of the slot 25 and is preferably the same diameter as the body of the pin, as shown. The latch portion is connected to the body of the pin 23 by a cylindrical stem portion 32 which is of smaller diameter than the latch 35 portion, and which will slidably pass in the slot 25. The ends of the slot 25 are formed of circular openings 34 of such diameter that the latch portion 3| of the pin may enter therein. Engagement of the pin latch portion 3i within an opening 34 under urge of the spring 2? serves to securely position the compressor member I1 relative to the body. To move the compressor member I! from one position to the other it is necessary to compress the spring 21 by finger pressure so as to move the pin axially an amount sufiicient to bring the stem portion 32 in line with the slot 25 whereupon the compressor member I! may be moved rectilinearly the length of the slot. Complete removal of the pin is prevented by the head 35 of larger diameter than the openings 34. I

A movable cover member 36 is shown attached to the roller, and is so formed that in the carrying position of the roller the cover is retained in closed position as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. As shown, the cover 36, which comprises a relatively thin plate, is hinged at one end to the compressor member ll, as indicated at 31, and is curved at the opposite end 38 so that it overlies the exterior of the trough II. The length of the cover 35 is proportioned so that when the compressor member I1 is moved forward into forming position the cover may be swung to open position on its hinge 3'! as is indicated in Fig. 3. Upon then sliding the compressor member I 1' to its extreme position in the opposite direction an opening is provided between the trough l l and the concave face 18 of the compressor member for receiving the tobacco that is to be formed into a cigarette. In order to give access to the latch spring 21 during times that the cover 36is in closed position an opening 39 is provided in the cover.

When it is desired to roll a cigarette the compressor member l! is moved to the open position as described above and tobacco is placed within the opening between the trough and the compressor member. The latch is then depressed and the compressor member is moved forward to form with the trough a cylindrical chamber. Means are provided to roll the compressed tobacco in cylindrical form drawing in any loose ends of tobacco caught between the free end of the trough portion and the adjacent edge of the body member, and to draw a cigarette paper around the formed tobacco. This means, as shown, cornprises parallel pins 42 which are securely held in a plug 43 rotatably mounted in the body [3 and having an exposed knurled handle 44. The plug is a loose fit within the body and takes its bearing by contact with the interior surface of an enlarged portion 45 of the trough and the end of the filler piece 14. The pins 42 are of sufiicient length to extend from the plug 43 to the opposite end of the body, and are positioned so as to lie close to the cylindrical wall formed by the trough and the concave face of the compressor member. The pins are preferably somewhat flat or oblong in cross section; having a greater width in the direction of rotational movement. The outer or opposite faces are preferably fiat, and the inner or adjacent faces of the pins are shown curved somewhat.

The free ends of the pins 42 are slidably received within a member 48 that is rotatably mounted within the body at the opposite side from the plug 43. The member 46, like the plug 43, takes its bearing between the inner side of the trough I l and the end of the filler piece 54. The pin receiving member 46 is held against axial movement by provision of an annular rib 4'! which is received within a slot 48 formed in the body. Parallel axially extending slots 49 are provided for reception of the pins 42. The slots 49 are opened out or flared at the pin receiving endsas indicated at 50 so as to provide a wide and readily accessible opening for entering the pins within the slots. The pins are held within the slots 49 by provision of a band 5| which encircles the member 43 as shown. The close fit of the pins within the slots effectively prevents twisting of the pins when force is applied to the knob 44 to rotate the pins. Also, the encircling band 5| prevents the pins from contacting with the surface within which the member 46 rotates and eliminates the friction that would result from such contact.

Means are provided on the plug 43 whereby it is readily retained in proper operating position. As shown, the plug carries a transversely mounted slidable pin 52 which is shouldered at 53 to limit its outward movement, and is pressed by a spring 54 so that it is constantly urged outwardly. The

opposite end of the spring 54 bears against a removable plug 55 which serves as a closure for the opening through which the pin and spring are assembled into operating position. The pin 52 projects from the face of the plug 43 and stands within a slot 57 formed in the trough I I, and an aligned groove 58 which is formed in the filler piece l4. size that the pin may move freely therein upon rotation of the plug. A slot 59 extending parallel of the trough axis is provided for passage of the pin 52 upon removal or insertion of the plug 43 and forming pins 42. formed so that the pin 52 must bedepressed against the tension of the spring 54 in order to pass through the slot and thus serves to retain the plug against unintentional removal. The pin 52 is shown provided with a cone end 6| which provides a camming surface for engagement with the slot walls whereby the pin is readily depressed when the handle is pulled.

Upon pressing the tobacco within the forming chamber and closing the compressor member, the plug 43 is rotated so as to form the tobacco in a cylinder by rotation of the pins 42. This movement of the tobacco, as previously mentioned, serves to draw into the chamber any bits of tobacco that may be caught within the relatively narrow opening (54- between the edge of the trough and the edge of the compressor. The width of this opening is fixed by the latched engagement of the compressor and body member.

After rotating the tobacco in its cylindrical form the formed tobacco is then ready for the application of the paper cover. This may be applied by depressing the spring 21 and moving the compressor I! an amount sufficient to insert the edge of the cigarette paper between the formed mass of tobacco'and' the face [3 of the compressor, whereupon the compressor is then returned to theclosed or forming position so that upon further rotation of the tobacco the paper is pulled into the chamber and around the tobacco. The edge of the paper must be moistened before completing the formation of the'cigarette and, upon doing this, additional rotation of the handle 44 secures the paper in tubular form around the tobacco. Another method of applying the paper is to lay the paper against the top face of the compressor member l I with one edge against the hinge 3'1. The width of the compressor is proportioned so that when one edge of the cigarette paper lies against the hinge 31 the opposite edge will extend over the opening 64 an amount sui cient to permit its insertion through the opening 64 and into the tobacco so as to cause it to contact with the tobacco and be drawn into the chamber upon subsequent rotation of the tobacco. This overlying edge of the paper is entered within the opening 64 by provision of a thin rib 65 which projects from the underside of the cover 36 and extends lengthwise of the cover at a position wherein upon closing the cover the rib 66 projects into the opening 64 and forces the paper edge ahead of it. Application of the paper by the method just described assures proper entrance of the paper so that it will roll as a cylinder and will not roll as a spiral as may occur if the paper is inserted in a slanting manner. The hinge 37 serves as a locating means which squares the paper with the slot opening 64.

The parts of the cigarette roller are propor- The slot 51 and groove 58 are of such As shown, the slot 69 is tioned so that when forming the cigarette the tobacco is held within the confines of the paper tube and may not extend beyond the tube ends. This is accomplished by the provision of plug ends on the members 43 and 46. As shown, the rotatable member 53 has a plug extension Ti] which extends into the cylindrical forming chamber and terminates in aflat face ll. The diameter of the extension IE! is somewhat less than the diameter of the forming chamber as indicated by the clearance space 72. The member 46 has an end portion it terminating in a face 35, and is also of such diameter as to provide a clearance space 16. These plug extensions are preferably somewhat tapered as shown. The paper extends substantially across the slot opening 6 3 as defined by the slot ends TI. The tobacco is retained between the plug faces H and i5 which are spaced apart a distance less than the paper width.

After rolling the paper onto the tobacco the completed cigarette may be readily removed by withdrawing the plug 43 and pins from the body and then moving the compressor toward the open position an amount sufficient to permit the cigarette to fall from the trough. If desired, the compressor member may be first withdrawn whereupon the completed cigarette may then be removed from the body member while retained on the pins. It is to be understood that the cover 36 is not essential to the formation of a cigarette but serves in effect as an accessory for guiding the paper, and for facilitating its insertion within the slot-64.

- The cigarette roller is small and compact, and may be readily carried in the pocket of the user as a compact unit. When in the carrying position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the latch retains the compressor so that the cover is held in engagement with the body and may not turn free on its hinge. Also, the plug 43 is held in assembled position by interengagement between the pin 52 and the body. Without the cover 36 the compressor may be carried in the position as shown in Fig. 3 where the forming chamber is shown closed with the compressor held against movement by latched engagement.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate another form of the cigarette roller wherein the parts are made in cylindrical shape. The body member [0 is tubular and has a cutaway central portion forming a U-shaped trough l l The end portions of the body member, designated by the numerals 13, provide bearings for the rotatable end members of the cigarette roller. Theend member 43 is provided with a knurled knob M by which it may be rotated. Spaced parallel pins 42' are fixed in the member 43' and project therefrom for the length of the roller and extend within the rotatable member 46. The end member 43 and attached pins are readily removable from the body member; end member 43' being freely rotatable in a cylindrical bore in the body member as it is preferably not provided with the latch shown in connection with the corresponding member 43 of the form first described. The rotatable member 46 is similar in construction to the member 46 described above, being provided with slots 49' for reception of the pin ends and a suitable encircling band to hold the pin ends securely within the slots. and 46, like members 43 and 46, are provided with extending ends Ill and M respectively. The end faces H and 15 define the length of a tobacco forming chamber which is somewhat Also, the rotatable members 43 shorter than the length of the opening in the U -shaped trough as defined by the end walls 8!.

' A compressor member I l is hinged at to one side of the U-shaped trough i i. The compressor member i? is U-shaped and is generally similar to the trough It so that when it is moved into closed position the two parts It and I1 form a cylinder of substantially the size of the cylindrical end parts it. When it is desired to roll a cigarette in this device the compressor member H is moved to the open position and the trough I i is filledwith tobacco. The cover H is then closed and the knob 44' is rotated to cause the pins d2 to rotate the tobacco into cylindrical form. The compressor member ll" is then opened to admit a paper 98 and is again closed, whereupon the knob 44' is again rotated to draw the paper 96 into tubular shape around the tobacco. The closing movement of the compressor member H is limited by suitable means so that the faces 82 and 83 cannot be brought into a sufficiently close engagement to bind the paper 9!) during its passage into the roller. As shown, the compressor member I? has formed on it at opposite ends the overlying lugs 84 which, upon closing the compressor member H, engage the end parts l3 of the roller and thus limit the movement of the compressor member. The pins d2 are preferably constructed of steel but may be formed of any suitable material having the required strength and stiifness. remaining parts of the roller may be formed from metal or be made of some suitable molded composition such as bakelite.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms'of apparatus. and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: y

1. In a cigarette roller; a mold comprising relatively movable parts for compressing tobacco into cylindrical form, a pair of spaced pins extending longitudinally through the mold for rotating the compressed form of tobacco, and means for rotatably supporting both ends of the pins.

2. In a cigarette roller, tobacco receiving means providing a chamber for formation of a cigarette therein, said receiving means comprising relatively movable parts for compressing the tobacco into cylindrical form, means for rotating a mass of tobacco within said chamber comprising spaced pins extending axially within said chamber, said pins being flexible in a direction perpendicular to the direction of rotation and a member rotatably mounted in each end of said tobacco receiving means for support of the pin ends.

3. In a portable cigarette roller, a tobacco receiving mold comprising relatively movable sections for compressing a quantity of tobacco therein, and means for rotating the tobacco within said chamber comprising a handle, spaced parallel pins fixed in said handle and extending axially within said mold, said pins being relatively narrow crosswise of the chamber, and a member rotatably mounted for reception of the free ends of the pins.

4. In a cigarette roller, tobacco receiving means providing a chamber for formation of a cigarette therein, means for rotating a mass of tobacco within said chamber comprising a handle, spaced parallel pins fixed in said handle and extending axially within said chamber adjacent the chamber The wall, said pins being of oblong cross section and positioned parallel with the dimension of greatest width extending in the direction of rotation of the handle, and a member rotatably mounted for reception of the free ends of the pins.

5. In a cigarette roller, tobacco receiving means providing a chamber for formation of a cigarette therein, means for rotating a mass of tobacco within said chamber comprising a handle removably carried by said tobacco receiving means, spaced parallel pins fixed in said handle and extending axially within said chamber, and a member rotatably mounted in said tobacco receiving means for support of the free ends of the pins.

6. In a portable cigarette roller adapted to be carried in the pocket, a body member comprising aU-shapedtrough for reception of tobacco, a compressor member having a concave face and movably mounted on said body member, said members being movable toward one another to a tobacco compressing position wherein the concave face and the Ushaped trough form a cylindrical cigarette forming chamber, spaced pins extending longitudinally along said chamber for rotating the tobacco in the cigarette forming chamber, and means for rotatably supporting the ends of the pins.

'7. In a cigarette roller, tobacco receiving means providing a mold for formation of a cigarette therein, means for rotating a mass of tobacco within said mold comprising spaced pins extending axially within said mold, means for rotation thereof, and receiving means for the free ends of the pins rotatably mounted in the tobacco receiving means, said receiving means having close fitting pin receiving openings provided therein.

8. In a cigarette roller, tobacco receiving means providing a mold for formation of a cigarette therein, means for rotating a mass of tobacco within said mold comprising spaced pins extending axially within said mold, means for rotating said pins, receiving means for the free ends of the pins rotatably mounted in the tobacco receiving means, said receiving means having slots formed therein for reception of the pins, and an encircling band on the receiving means closing the open sides of the slots for closely holding the pins within the slots.

9. In a substantially cylindrical cigarette roller, a cigarette forming mold of a length to receive a cigarette paper, spaced pins extending longitudinally of the mold for rotating tobacco Within said mold, rotatable pin supporting plugs at the mold ends, end portions on said plugs of smaller diameter than the mold diameter projecting within said mold and defining a tobacco receiving space shorter than the length of the mold.

10. In a cigarette roller, a substantially cylindrical cigarette forming mold of a length to receive a cigarette paper, spaced pins extending longitudinally of the mold for rotating tobacco within said mold, and rotatable pin supporting plugs at the mold ends, said plugs having tapered end portions of smaller diameter than the mold diameter projecting within said mold and defining a tobacco receiving space shorter than the length of the mold.

JOHN A. KAPPELER'.

@ERTEFEGATE 0F CQRRECTifi-N.

Patent No. 2,015,312.

JQHN A. KAPIPELER.

it is hereby oertiiied that error appears in the printed specification oi the above numbered patont requiring coiiooti-oii as ioiiows: Page 4-, Second column, lines 7-8, claim 8, for "for rotating said pins" road attached so one end of each of said pins for rotation thorizoi; and that he ooid Letters Poioot should be read wi'ih this correction therein that the some may conform to the record of ihe case in the Patent Qiiice.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of Novemboi", A, 1), 2935.

Leslie Fiozer Acting Commissioner of ?ateiiis.

September 2 1935. 

